Dear Brett and Courtney,

I used to watch survivor all the time ages ago, yet stopped recently. However, in the last week, I saw the last couple episodes of Samoa. I was immediately drawn to you, Brett. I couldn’t figure out why you seemed so much different than anyone I’d seen before. You had such a great light, and energy…it was magnetic. Then, when you recited a scripture to Natalie…I was sold. I was so inspired to see such a pure hearted person in such a manipulative game.

Later, my friend mentioned to me that you designed t-shirts for a living despite the fact that all your survivor peers referred to you as simply “the kid”. So I decided to look you up online, and found TMOOH. I was floored. It seemed like fate for me to have been lead to this project…being in my young 20s and one of the women in this world that has constantly struggled with insecurity and image, simply because of all the pressure in society. I’ve always been active, healthy and average… but because the world said I was fat because I wasn’t a size zero, I believed it.

After struggling through fad diets and eating disorders in high school, what brought me out of my self-doubt and insecurity was my faith and people like you and Courtney working to inspire the world that EVERYONE is beautiful and has something to offer to this world. I am SO THANKFUL to have stumbled upon your mission; it’s SO encouraging to see that in our generation, there are still people willing to fight for people. Everyone deserves to be happy and free in their own skin. Thank you so much for everything you’ve done…and all you’ll continue to do. This is amazing, and WILL touch the lives of many. It’s definitely touched mine, and I plan on spreading the word.

I feel so strongly about this as well, and like I said… it really encourages me to keep going forward knowing that I’m not alone in the fight. We’re ALL beautiful, and it’s time we see it for what it is, instead of through the skewed reality society paints for us.

Thanks so much again,
Kimberly

Dear The Monument of Our Hearts,
I read Luke’s story. It inspired me to write my own to y’all.

I’m not popular, but I’m not the lowest person on the totem pole. I used to be obese, but I never had the motivation to change it. I always blamed that single factor for all of my unhappiness, all of my problems, all of my failures, and, for awhile, I liked having that scapegoat-esque factor in myself. But, in truth, just thinking that that was my single fault (and that people judged me any worse for it) was one of the greatest mistakes of my life. Finally, in my sophomore year, all of it started to change. I hadn’t made the basketball team the year before, a devastating blow since I’d been playing for over half of my life, but instead of sulking, I joined crew. That decision was one of the best decisions that I will ever make in my life. I have met some of my best friends in this sport. They helped me see that beauty is who you are, not what you look like.
More…

It’s awesome that you’re using your talents and life promoting advocacy and healthy body images. Being a young lady myself, body image has always plagued me. Thankfully, as I’ve grown up, I’ve learned that who I am is more than what I look like. I’ve used my talents and my brain to find things that make me happy and lead a satisfying life, even if the road to happiness does have its own share of struggles and obstacles. Body image should not be an obstacle in the pursuit to happiness. Instead, healthy body image should be a spectator encouraging you along the way. Seeing a young man like you validate the need for awareness and actually caring is….well, its beyond my own words.

Thank you.
J.A.

Being an overweight girl my whole life has been hard especially now since im in high school. I have tried almost every diet and exercise plan out there but can never seem to lose more than 10 lbs. Because of my issues with my body I have been cutting for almost two years because to me it was one thing that I could control about my body. My friend was wearing one of the shirts at school and told me to go to the website and get one for myself.  As I was reading the Live it  sections of the site I couldn’t help but think of all the girls out there who are struggling with the same issues that I am. After reading this I didn’t want to cut anymore because I did truly feel beautiful for once in my life. I know that one week of not cutting may not seem like much to you but to me it has taken so much strength to not pick up a razor. Thank you so much for creating this company and sharing your vision with the world, you will never know how much it means to me

-Z

Hey TMOOH,

You guys are doing such a great thing, promoting self confidence and what not. I used to think that the only thing guys were attracted to were looks. But now I realize that isn’t true at all- they’re attracted to confidence. If you know your body and you know how to carry it, you’re perfect. You could be the most beautiful person in the world, but if you’re ashamed of yourself, no one will see you’re beauty.

On another note, I love your designs, they’re really unique. And that’s what being you is all about right? Being unique.

- Breanna

Hey everyone at TMOOH.
Alright now I think it’s story time. I have pretty much always struggled with my figure and accepting myself for the way I am. Which in my opinion is a really crazy thought, especially since I’m so young. I used to think all girls were super skinny and drop dead gorgeous, but then I’d look at myself and I wouldn’t feel anything close to beautiful because I didn’t think I measured up to them. So, I thought I was just flat out ugly because I didn’t look like those girls or maybe because the clothes they wore wouldn’t look good on me (or so I thought). I just couldn’t accept my body and who I was. And, I started to think the only way to feel beautiful was to be skinny and gorgeous. So, I tried dieting for a very long time. And, that didn’t really work so I started to cut down on food, hoping that I would lose weight then. And, I didn’t care if I became anorexic or how it would affect me later on in life.

I just wanted to feel good about myself.

Little did I know, there are people that actually care about me and what I do to my body. And, they think I’m gorgeous no matter what I look like. I think the only way I got through that giant stage in my life where I couldn’t accept myself was because of my friends, family, God, and TMOOH. I don’t think you guys know how much you affect people. Now, I can look at myself and call myself beautiful. Even after I look at girls in movies and on tv (that are “perfect” aka totally fake, they just look perfect) I don’t have to compare myself to them because I know I am gorgeous. But, I can only do that because of the support you guys have provided me. You guys make me proud of myself and who I am. I am officially at peace with my body. Thanks to the help from you You have done so much for me, and you all mean the world to me. I am truly grateful for what you guys do for, not only me, but millions of other teenagers across the country. You guys are like my angels sent from Heaven.
Even though I’ve never met any of you guys I can honestly say I love you all.
Love always,
Chandler